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Manager, Histology – Allen Institute for Brain Science

Employer
Allen Institute for Brain Science
Location
Seattle, Washington State
Salary
Salary commensurate with experience
Closing date
Aug 17, 2022

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The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Brain Science is to accelerate the understanding of how the human brain works in health and disease. Using a big science approach, we generate useful public resources, drive technological and analytical advances, and discover fundamental brain properties through the integration of experiments, modeling, and theory.

The Manager, Histology is responsible for leading a core team of Research Associates dedicated to the production of high-quality histological data within the Allen Institute for Brain Science.  The Histology team supports sectioning, staining, and reagent preparation requests from multiple project teams within Allen Institute for Brain Science.  While managing the support of ongoing production projects, the Manager also is involved in developing, defining, and implementing new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in support of project goals.  This position is responsible for assessing resource capacity and budget for supported projects and is responsible for hiring and training personnel.  The manager is responsible for establishing, monitoring, and maintaining high-quality standards for all processes supported by the team.  Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills are imperative to success in this position.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions

  • Lead a core team of Research Associates responsible for sectioning, IHC, staining, and reagent prep in support of pipeline projects
  • Schedule and manage weekly histological and reagent preparation tasks, balancing, leveling, and prioritizing workload according to project needs
  • Coordinate with other resource managers in project planning, prioritization, and throughput
  • Work collaboratively with scientists and project leads in designing, establishing, and executing new project requests
  • Develop, maintain, and optimize standardized processes with robust validation and quality control measures
  • Design, implement, and monitor QC metrics in order to uphold and maintain high-quality standards for all processes
  • Forecast, track, and report project requests based on a Bill of Materials (BOM) model
  • Direct and assist with experimental and equipment troubleshooting
  • Investigate, report, and resolve process deviations and assist with corrective and preventative actions
  • Work with vendors to obtain competitive quotes and as needed for technical assistance
  • Evaluate, maintain, inventory, and validate lab instrumentation
  • Maintain detailed records in an organized, transparent fashion
  • Write, edit, and audit SOPs
  • Hire, coach, evaluate, and ensure training of employees
  • Define staff roles and responsibilities, communicate performance standards, monitor quality of work and product, and provide training, guidance, and oversight to team members
  • Monitor objectives, resources, schedules, and goals

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree (BA or BS) in a life science or related field
  • A minimum of 8 years of relevant laboratory experience and minimum of 4 years in a supervisory role, and/or an MS or PhD with minimum of 4 years of experience in technical and supervisory roles
  • Strong scientific background and ability to advise on the design and execution of immunohistochemical (IHC) experiments for a wide variety of users in neuroscience research
  • Experience with automated IHC platforms (such as Biocare intelliPATH) with the scalability of new and existing pipelines
  • Expertise in microtomy techniques using cryostat, sliding microtome, and vibratome
  • Expertise in handling fresh frozen tissue and preparing for cryosectioning
  • Expertise in staining methods such as Nissl and DAPI
  • Prior experience managing work schedules and resources in a multi-project environment
  • Demonstrated collaborative team leadership in matrixed, project-oriented management
  • Proven ability in managing teams towards the achievement of goals and objectives
  • Demonstrated independence and ability to complete projects on time
  • Expertise with Excel

Preferred Education and Experience

  • Accredited Histotechnologist, HTL, (ASCP Certified); Qualification in Immunohistochemistry (QIHC), with a minimum of 2 years of solid relevant Histology laboratory experience within this role
  • Experience with the following instruments: Biocare intelliPATH, Leica Autostainer XL and coverslipper.  Sakura Tissue-Tek Prisma Plus Autostainer and G2 Glas coverslipper, compound and dissecting microscopes, Leica cryostat, sliding microtomes, osmometers, pH meters, Precision balances
  • Affinity for working in a fast-paced, high-standard, team-based environment
  • Practical and scientific expertise in neurobiology and/or cell biology
  • Experience with QA/QC, GMP/GLP practices within the Life Sciences
  • Experience and familiarity with Teams, Sharepoint, InfoPath, and PowerApps
  • Self-starter, problem-solver, excellent organization skills and ability to multi-task
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

Work Environment

  • Laboratory environment - possible exposure to chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances.
  • Possible exposure to BioSafety Level 2 organisms, such as recombinant viruses
  • This may include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE)
  • Working with dry ice or liquid nitrogen
  • Sample handling of the following material, including but not limited to: fresh and frozen tissue (Human, Macaque, Mouse, and others as needed)

Physical Demands

  • Ability to perform cryo-sectioning as required (fine motor movements and repetitive motion)
  • Stooping, bending, crouching as required

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

  • This is an essential job and expected to report for work regardless of weather and/or other conditions
  • This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

  • In keeping with our focus on employee safety, all employees must be up to date with vaccinations against COVID-19 as a condition of employment unless a medical or religious accommodation is approved. All employees will be required to keep their vaccination status up to date according to CDC guidance.

Additional Comments

  • **Please note, this opportunity does not sponsor work visas **
  • **Please note, this opportunity offers relocation assistance**

 

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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